Saw Allergist

I went to see an allergist about my shortness of breath and other asthma symptoms. He did 28 common allergens on a skin prick test and I came up negative on everything. This surprised me as I thought I would have some allergies. It didn't test for everything but did test for environmental triggers. He diagnosed me with Vasomotor rhinitis with secondary asthma. He said he wants to put me on a 12 day course of oral steroids and then after the inflammation is down we can treat it with steroid sprays and nasal wash. I am really not looking forward to taking more oral steroids, I have taken two courses in the last three months. They really mess with me emotionally too. I was excited about the treatment when he said that I would just take some tablets and then a wash and feel better, until I noticed the prescription was for oral steroids. If it cleared up the problem I would do it, but I am concerned. Anyway, I also go for my methacholine challenge on Tuesday.

I've had that for several years, Beachmom. I was on Advair for about 8 months because of it; I was coughing so much I couldn't get any sleep at all. For me the key has really been the nasal wash. As long as I keep doing that every day, I do fine. When (like now) I backslide because I'm not having problems, I have to go back to three times a day until I get it cleared up. My allergist was great; no expensive Neti pots, sterile saline, etc. She told me to mix 1/4 tsp. non-iodized salt in 8 oz. of warm tap water, then use a simple bulb syringe to wash out my nasal passages. It's amazing how much it helped.

I think the oral steroids are just to knock down the inflammation, then you shouldn't need them again if you follow the program.

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Antihistamine nasal sprays may be as effective as steroid nasal sprays for vasomotor rhinitis, once you get the initial inflammation under control. Also, I find milk protein really kicks up the vasomotor rhinitis symptoms for me, so if I only eat cooked or cultured dairy, my nose doesn't bother me so much (I also have allergic rhinitis, so my nose is still a problem, but much less of one when I avoid uncooked dairy).

Good luck,

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-Razzle

I hope you don't mind my input here, but allergy testing is not all that definitive. So you could still have allergies, There are other allergy test's out there, if you really want to go that route. So don't be so quick to rule allergies out yet.
it reminds me of the saying "nothing in life is a sure thing, except death and taxes"
I send well wishes to you in hopes you'll get better soon.
Keep us posted
and lots of soft HUGZ

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* Asthma
* Allergies
* Osteoarthritis
* Spinal Stenosis
* Mild DDD
* Enlarged
Pituitary Gland
* Fibromyalgia
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Patient: "I always see spots with my eyes"
Doctor: "Didn't the new glasses help?"
Patient "Yes, now I see the spots clearer"